Wellness center: an economic jump start for Estes Park

John Cullen arrived in Estes Park last week with plans to spend some time at the Stanley Hotel, a world-class lodging enterprise he owns.

Surprise.

The hotel was full and there was no room for the boss.

"Getting kicked out of your own hotel is a good thing," Cullen said lightly during a telephone interview. "I actually find it amazing the number of people who traveled here over roads that were under repair.

"I just checked the daily report and see that we're having weddings and that medical groups are meeting here. They're putting in the travel time and effort to get here even if it's difficult ... and they're still coming."

That's good news for Cullen and a mountain community that is still trying to get its momentum back after a devastating flood in September discouraged regional visitors and tourism, the community's life line.

While Cullen would normally be upbeat about his booked-up hotel, the hotelier has an air of concern about him. His primary focus at the moment is not on current guests but on a very important project - a proposed $15 million wellness center that is planned to be built adjacent to the Stanley Hotel.

Cullen, who had been talking for some time about a future wellness center, unveiled an accelerated plan for the center shortly after the flood. The project will be part of a Colorado wellness movement revolving around the University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Center in Aurora. The plan calls for wellness centers in Estes Park, Telluride and Colorado Springs.

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The Anschutz Wellness Center at the Stanley Hotel is focused on attracting family wellness vacations. The Colorado Springs center, in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, will focus on training for peak athletic performance. The Telluride center will focus on the two-income, no-kids market.

Although it's still early in the process, Cullen is getting some key support for his project. The Estes Park Medical Center, the Estes Valley Partners for Commerce, and the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation have all lined up to support the venture. Many other groups have also voiced unofficial support.

However, it's the general public's support that Cullen wants the most.

Jump starting economic development

While there are many moving parts involved in getting the wellness center approved and built, Cullen believes there is more at stake than just a wellness center. He, and others, believe this is the first true test of serious economic development in Estes Park, an issue that has been debated many times over the years.

Cullen pointed out that his project easily meets the criteria that the town's newly-created economic development corporation has on its wish list - job creation, tax generation, good wages, community enhancer, etc.

"We will pay the town $600,000 to $700,000 a year in taxes," Cullen said. "We will create about 60 full-time jobs. And, this doesn't take away (money) from any existing business. This is not in competition with anyone."

Cullen added that he hasn't asked for a single dollar or subsidy from anyone.

"Colorado Springs offered me $11 million in subsidies to build exactly the same project in Colorado Springs," Cullen said. "I'm paying for every detail here.

"How do you fight that?"

Greg Rosener, a consultant working closely with Cullen on the project, said the project will succeed or fail on the public's desire for economic development that helps to diversify the community.

"It's really an issue of whether or not voters want to increase the economic base of the Estes Park area or just say NO to economic development," Rosener said.

Fast-track process begins

Cullen is seeking fast-track approvals of his project. They are needed, he says, in order to take advantage of $5 million in state-offered guarantees that will greatly improve the credit-worthiness of the bond offering necessary to pay for construction. As a result of those guarantees, a number of foundations have stated their willingness to invest about $15 million for the construction. The Stanley Hotel will provide a guarantee for the bonds as well.

The Estes Park Town Board, after much discussion, started down that road two weeks ago by voting 4-3 to fast-track the project through the land purchase and review process.

The next step for the project comes Tuesday night when the town board takes up the issue of a sale contract for Lot 4 of the Stanley Historic District. Cullen needs to purchase the land to build the wellness center. The board is scheduled to decide on a purchase price, based on land appraisal, at the meeting.

However, any sale of the land must be approved by residents. Therefore, a special election is necessary. A special election date has been tentatively set for Dec. 17. The board will decide the language on the ballot issue at the meeting.

The special election will not be a mail ballot election. However, residents will be able to apply for an absentee ballot. It must be returned by 7 p.m. on election day. Interested residents should contact the town clerk's office at 577-477 for an application or visit the town's website at estes.org to download the application.

In addition to the town board meeting, the Estes Valley Planning Commission will also review the project and make a recommendation to the town board.

If all goes well, financing for the project and sale of the land could be approved by early 2014.

The project is ambitious and includes a special partnership with the Estes Park Medical Center. The plan calls for Anschutz to provide training for select staff at EMPC in order to conduct wellness programs at the center.

Cullen says he is willing to pay for that training and has not asked for any financial concessions from the medical center.

"We met with the executive team on Thursday (Oct. 31)," Cullen said. "I think we will be announcing an agreement with Estes Park Medical Center in the next two weeks."

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